Several test can be done to estimate the blood sugar level

1) RPG (random plasma glucose): this is a blood test done at any time of the day to check blood sugar level at that point in time. If the RPG value is >200 mg/dl (11.1mmol/L) of blood, it indicates that person has diabetes .Further tests may be required for confirmation

2) FPG (Fasting plasma glucose): this tests the amount of sugar in the blood stream after one has not eaten for 8-10 hours (over night fasting). This is usually done first thing in the morning before breakfast. An FPG value >126 mg/dl (.7.0mmol/L) indicates that person has diabetes

3) Glycated haemoglobin (Hba1C): this test measure how well the blood sugar has been controlled over the past 3 months. If the Hba1C is >6.5% (47.0mmol/mol) it indicates the presence of diabetes

4) OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test): this is another type of test for diabetes. The blood sugar level is checked in the fasting state and then 2 hours after drinking a certain amount of glucose. It show how the body process glucose. If the 2 hour value is >200 mg/dl (11.1mmol/L), it indicate the presence of the diabetes.

Prediabetes is a condition in which the blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Millions of people worldwide do not know that they have prediabetes. That is why it is important to get screened for prediabetes. Prediabetic person may develop type 2 diabetes in later life. There is a rule of “thirds” – about one third of prediabetic people will develop diabetes in the next 5 years, one third will remain prediabetic, while one third will revert to normal

Those who have prediabetes are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Following proper diet and exercise programs to control weight can help prevent progression from prediabetes to diabetes and avoid cardiovascular problems. Screening for diabetes and prediabetes should not be delayed; it is better done early rather than late.

Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body’s ability to respond to the effects of insulin is decreased. Insulin has many actions within the body, such as the breakdown of carbohydrates (sugar and starches), fats and protein into glucose. As cells must have glucose to survive, the body compensates for the inadequate response to insulin by producing additional amounts of insulin. This results in high level of insulin in the blood, which is one of the signs of insulin resistance.

Gestational diabetes is a temporary type of diabetes that develop during pregnancy (gestational).

We do not know why some people develop type 2 diabetes and other do not. However, certain factors increase the risk, some of which are given below:

1) Family history : if one has a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes, the risk of getting diabetes increases

2) Age: the risk of type 2 diabetes increase with age, especially after the age of 40 years. This may be associated with decreased exercise, loss of muscle mass and weight gain as age increase. Despite the know association of type 2 diabetes with age, in recent years, the incidence of type diabetes has been increasing dramatically among children, adolescents and young adults

3) Race: people from certain racial backgrounds are found to have a higher risk of developing diabetes, although the reason is not know. Overweight/obesity: being overweight is a primary risk factor for type 2diabetes. The more fatty tissue one has, the more resistant the cells become to insulin

4) Inadequate physical activity: the less active one is, the more likely one is to develop type m2 diabetes. Physical activity helps one control weight, use glucose as energy and increase the sensitivity of the cells to insulin

5) Unhealthy diet: a diet rich in calories, saturated fats and sugar, and sugar, and low in fibre can lead to an increase in body weight and thereby increase the risk for developing diabetes. Having high blood pressure or a high lipid level also puts a person at risk of developing diabetes

6) Gestational diabetes: women who developed diabetes during pregnancy have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If the baby born to such a woman weighed more than 9 pounds (>4kg), one is also at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in future.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes may be so mild that it may not be noticed for years, and therefore remains untreated. This may lead to complications. As one cannot always rely on symptoms, the only way to know whether one has diabetes is to be screened (tested) for it

High-risk individuals should be screened for diabetes at regular intervals, beginning at the age of 35 years.

A glycated haemoglobin (Hba1c) test accurately assesses how well the blood glucose has been controlled over a period of 2-3 months. For non-diabetic individuals, the normal Hba1c level is usually below 5.5%. In people with diabetes, an Hba1c level below 7.0% indicates goods control.

The good news is that the complications of diabetes can be prevented by doing the following important things:

1) Take medicines regularly as prescribed by the health-care provider

2) Keep a track of the blood sugar level by going for regular tests and check-ups

3) Eat-healthy – more vegetables and fruit, less fatty, sugary and salty food

4) Stay physically active

5) Stay alert for skin infection and skin disorders

6) Go for regularly eye check-ups

7) Watch for any tingling, burning, loss of sensation, and wounds on the bottom of the feet

Talk to the health-care provider and discuss how to avoid complications and how to deal with these if one already has some complication.

Physically activity delays or prevents the onset of type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that physically active individual have a 30-50% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to sedentary individuals. Physical activity helps to control the blood glucose level, weight and blood pressure, reduce the cholesterol level and prevent cardiovascular disease.